254 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE chap. 



tint, its head glorious with the halo of its 

 quivering cilia ; to see it gliding through the 

 emerald stems, hunting for its food, snatching 

 at its prey, fleeing from its enemy, chasing its 

 mate (the fiercest of our passions blazing in 

 an invisible speck); to see it whirling in a 

 mad dance, to the sound of its own music, 

 the music of its happiness, the exquisite happi- 

 ness of living — can any one, who has once 

 enjoyed this sight, ever turn from it to mere 

 books and drawings, without the sense that 

 he has left all Fairyland behind him? " ^ 



The study of Natural History has indeed 

 the special advantage of carrying us into the 

 country and the open air. 



Lakes are even more restful than rivers or 

 the sea. Rivers are always flowing, though 

 it may be but slowly ; the sea may rest 

 awhile, now and then, but is generally full of 

 action and energy ; while lakes seem to sleep 

 and dream. Lakes in a beautiful country are 

 like silver ornaments on a lovely dress, like 

 liquid gems in a beautiful setting, or bright 

 eyes in a lovely face. Indeed as we gaze 



1 Dr. Hudson, Address to the Microscopical Society, 1889. 



